Australia’s Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has announced a total ban on sports betting on sporting competitions for under-19s.
The VGCCC ban applies to sporting events where all participants are minors.
It also prohibits betting on Victoria on the individual performance of athletes under the age of 18 who are in senior or junior events.
This includes betting on outcomes such as first to score or first wicket taken when the player is underage.
However, bets can still be placed on team results in professional sports when minors are playing.
Sporting governing bodies have been instructed to amend agreements with betting providers to ensure they prohibit the offering of markets involving minors.
The VGCCC said the ban also applied to other sports not governed by an approved sports governing body.
Sports entities and betting operators will have 60 days, starting August 3, to adapt to the new rules. After that period, offering betting on minors may lead to regulatory action.
VGCCC raises concerns about game integrity and damage
In letters sent to sporting bodies and betting providers, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission said that allowing underage gambling poses integrity issues and gambling-related harm.
These concerns, the VGCCC said, include the susceptibility of minors to approaches that seek to undermine the integrity of an event and normalize play at events involving children.
“The idea that it’s okay to bet on minors just doesn’t hold up,” said Fran Thorn, chairman of the VGCCC.
He said: “We think minors deserve to be protected. It also raises integrity issues, with the possibility of people trying to influence how minors can behave by playing sports.”
“Sports governing bodies and betting providers that fail to comply could lose their approval to run sports in the state or be prosecuted,” added Thorn.
Radical reforms to slot games in Victoria
The ban comes after Victoria last month announced new reforms aimed at reducing the damage caused by arcade machines.
Defined by Prime Minister Daniel Andrews and Minister for Casino, Gambling and Alcohol Regulation Melissa Horne, the reforms remain subject to final approval.
Changes include mandatory pre-commitment limits, identity verification through card play, reduced load limit, curfew at locations between 4am and 10am, and reduced rotation speed.
At the time, Andrews said the reforms provided the strongest anti-gambling and money laundering measures in Australia.
Reforms triggered by the Royal Commission
The renovations were announced following the Royal Commission‘s inquiry into malpractice at Crown Melbourne.
In April 2022, the Commission found the casino “inappropriate” to hold a license in the state. It also found that the casino engaged in “illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative” conduct.
After the inquiry, the government formed the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission to regulate gambling in the state.
Victoria’s 2023 budget included AU$71 million for the VGCCC to take on a greater role in harm reduction for the game.
As such, the entity will take over most of the functions of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. This will take effect from July 1, 2024.
